By Tori Townsend

Perhaps groupie isn’t the right word to describe Tracie Thomas, otherwise known as “Tattoo Tracie”. Although she is fanatical about the game of tennis, and did offer to play me in a tennis match within the first minute of our first conversation ever, her intentions are far more sensible than that of a groupie. A couple of years ago, Tracie turned in her rock guitar for a racquet, and began using her vocal gift of song to vocalize tennis calls on the court.

“The first time I ever played tennis was when I was 10 years old,” she said. “I quit a couple of years later to get into the music scene.”

After a 15 year career in music, three years in New York City with her band Special Head, and two full sleeves of tattoos along the way, Tracie’s interest turned back to tennis. With a little nudge from her Aunt Nancy, an avid 4.0 tennis player, Tracie was instantly hooked again.

“I love tennis because it is not just the same thing over and over again,” she said, slowing raising her voice in excitement. “There are so many different things to learn, different tactics, and a whole network of people at clubs and tournaments to play.”

Currently, Tracie jams on the tennis court 5 times a week and enters as many USTA singles tournaments as possible. She’s also part of a local USTA league team. Her heart is in the game first for the exercise and second because she thrives on the competition.

Ask anyone about this “tennis groupie” and they will tell you that she will play anyone, anytime, anywhere. In fact, she dares you to play her.

Her challenge doesn’t stem from conceitedness, but rather from an understanding that tennis is infectious.

“If someone plays tennis a couple of times,” she said. “I guarantee they will fall in love with it.”

On the outside, Tracie may look intimidating with her tough appearance and colorful tattoos. She may even get stares and whispers. But about 99% of the time, the tennis community embraces her free style. “Tennis is an open group of people,” she admits.

She also admits that as long as she can walk, she’ll still be playing tennis. Then she corrected herself. “Actually, even if you can’t walk, you can still play tennis!” You are absolutely right Tracie; what a fabulous thought.